Watch Ingredients

Ingredients is a 2009 documentary that brings attention to the importance of buying local and sustainable food. The film takes us on a journey through the United States and focuses on the farmers, chefs, and advocates who strive to create a more sustainable food system. The film begins with a focus on farmers and the importance of soil health. We meet Anthony Boutard, a farmer from Oregon who says, "The foundation of a healthy farm is a healthy soil." He talks about how chemical fertilizers and pesticides damage the soil and the environment, and instead promotes crop rotation and integrated pest management.

We then move on to the Hudson Valley in New York, where we meet Jean-Paul Courtens, a farmer who talks about the importance of biodiversity on his farm. He believes that having a diverse range of crops improves soil health and creates a more resilient farm.

The film also introduces us to Eddie Eagle, a chef from New York who is a strong advocate for buying local foods. He talks about the importance of knowing where your food comes from and how it is grown. He believes that supporting local farmers not only benefits the environment but also improves the taste and quality of the food.

Throughout the film, we see examples of sustainable agriculture practices being implemented. In Oregon, we see a restaurant that sources all of its ingredients from a nearby farm. In Wisconsin, we see a dairy farm that uses rotational grazing to improve soil health and produce high-quality milk.

The film also addresses the challenges that local farmers and restaurants face in competing with larger, industrialized agriculture operations. We see examples of farmers who struggle to find markets for their products and restaurants that struggle to source local ingredients due to limited availability.

Ingredients does an excellent job of highlighting the benefits of sustainable agriculture while also addressing the challenges that farmers and food businesses face. It promotes the idea that by supporting local and sustainable food systems, we can improve the health of the environment, our communities, and ourselves.

Overall, Ingredients is a well-made documentary that highlights the importance of sustainable agriculture and the need for people to be conscious consumers. It presents a persuasive argument for supporting local farms and businesses and encourages viewers to take action in their own communities.

Ingredients is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 13 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.